Dimmesdale character analysis

A detailed Summary of Dimmesdale character analysis

Arthur Dimmesdale in the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn was a pastor, respected by all and distrusted by none. This Reverend guided his congregation along their spiritual walks; their pathways to heaven. However, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale was a mortal. No matter how much he tried to hide this fact, the sin of adultery blackened his heart and soiled his purity. Dimmesdale lead two lives: that of a saint and that of a sinner. Hawthorn reveals both the former and the latter through Reverend Dimmesdale's deteriorated physical appearance, his ever constant inward changes, relationships with other characters, and his struggles with his iniquity.

Arthur Dimmesdale's physical appearance in this novel directly portrays the condition of his conscience. The Reverend's sin was eating him from the inside out. His saintliness was struggling with his sinfulness. As he watched Hester Prynne constantly be the object of humiliation, his inward judgment grew harsher. Even near the beginning of the novel, Dimmesdale's body was starting to deteriorate: "He [Dimmesdale] looked now more careworn and emaciated than as we described him at the scene of Hester's public ignominy" (83). Reverend Dimmesdale was

The author depicts Dimmesdale's character by showing his relationship with Hester, Pearl, and Chillingworth. Dimmesdale's tender side was portrayed through his relationship with Hester and Pearl. Rather than attempt to banish them from the colony, or even kill them so as not to get caught, he defended Hester every chance he had. He showed compassion to Pearl: "The minister looked round, laid his hand on the child's head, hesitated an instant, and then kissed her brow" (85). To the very thing that cursed him on the inside, the product of his passionate sin, Dimmesdale showed love and kindness. Dimmesdale's pain is shown through his conversations with Chillingworth. During one discussion, the Reverend begins to feel so guilty that he questions whether or not anything will grow on his grave because of his cursed sin. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale's relationship with Chillingworth also reveals his naivete and willingness to trust anyone. He let Dr. Chillingworth live with and even to carry on long personal discussions with him. He never once became suspicious about Chillingworth's identity. Dimmesdale's character was affected by his relationships with others tremendously. However, the main factor in his personality throughout the novel is Dimmesdale's struggle with his own iniquity.

Dimmesdale's constant fight with his sin was the one thing that characterized his entire character. This struggle was proved to be existent in his word, thought, and deed. The Reverend constantly

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Approximate Word count = 1005
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English